I'm a former high school English teacher and this new "language" is nothing short of offensive. I'm still devastated that all these stupid computers didn't blow up at Y2K like they were supposed to. All we're getting as a result of all this technology is a generation of non-functional illiterates who can't think and have no social skills. When I get an e-mail with this text-speak nonsense it gets deleted unread. If a person can't be bothered to express themselves properly I won't waste my time on them.

My friends still get personal, handwritten letters from me and say they love to get them. It's sad that almost nobody writes real letters anymore.

Taz-Zoe, I couldn't agree with you more. The idiots that didn't have the common sense and decency to respond to you in correct and proper English don't deserve your consideration. If they're too lazy to respond correctly, they're too lazy to give a pet the time, care, and attention the animal deserves.